SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — Area officials are reminding people that beginning October 24, to complete all local calls, you will need to dial either the area code plus telephone number or 1 plus area code plus telephone number.

This applies to all calls within the 618 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

On or after Oct. 24, calls made with only seven digits may not connect, and a recording will tell you your call cannot be completed as dialed.